BUDGET TRAVEL ADVICE

The RIGHT Way to Pack Your Luggage!

Your standard packing checklist will only get you so far. From theme parks to weekend getaways to cruising, we’ll show you what specific items to pack—and what to leave at home—for eight common vacation types. You might be surprised by what we’ve uncovered!

Follow these tips and you'll always have what you need, no matter where you go.

(Michael Mohr)

Sunscreen? Check. Extra socks? Double-check. There are some things you'll never forget to pack, whether you're headed to the Swiss slopes or the wilds of Africa. But your go-to packing checklist will only get you so far. Each unique vacation type—from a rugged eco-tour to a weekend getaway to a Mexican beach escape—comes with its own packing needs. Maximize your suitcase space by following our handy guide to what to bring and what to leave at home. You may be surprised by what we've uncovered!

CRUISE

Bring: An alarm clockIf you want to wake up for that oceanside sunrise, pack your own gear: Very few cruise lines stock alarm clocks in their cabins. The no-alarm rule isn't universal—Euro River Cruises and One Ocean Expeditions, for two, offer cabins with alarms—but most major cruise lines don't specify alarm clocks in their amenities. It's best to come prepared with something jangly and loud. (This rule is especially important if you're in a windowless interior cabin, where day and night hours look completely identical.)

Leave at home: Irons and other items with heating elementsWhen it comes to appliances, there's no hard and fast rule for what's allowed or prohibited on cruises—each line sets its own policies. Some, like Norwegian, allow hair dryers and curlers, while banning hotplates, clothing irons, and "any other item that may create a fire hazard." Disney and Royal Caribbean add coffee makers to the do-not-bring list; Cunard merely prohibits "inflammable or hazardous items," leaving the actual definition of such items to their own discretion. The safest course of action is always to contact your specific cruise line before embarkation to avoid the embarrassment of having to bail your bag out of the ship's banned-items jail.

ECO-TOUR

Bring: Extra batteries or a solar chargerYour camera battery just died, and your back-to-basics eco-lodge has no outlets. To avoid getting caught with your power down, stock up on replaceable batteries for your camera, flashlight, and other gadgets if your tour operator can't guarantee charging solutions. If you're the type to take your cell phone everywhere, there are other eco-friendly solutions. Samsonite Luggage Window Solar Charger (shop.samsonite.com, $50) fits most cell phones and takes 13 hours of sun to juice up completely. For the iPhone junkie, Eton's Mobius Rechargeable Battery Case with Solar Panel (etoncorp.com, $80) is compatible with the latest 4 and 4S models, and since it doubles as a heavy-duty phone case, you'll get the power of the sun and defense against drops and dings.

Leave at home: Mosquito netsLet's not gloss over the risks: According to the World Health Organization, 30,000 travelers become infected with malaria every year. Add in yellow fever, encephalitis, and dengue fever, and the little buggers are a serious concern in tropical and subtropical areas. Luckily, most eco-tour operators know the hazards and provide mosquito nets for guests—making nets one less item to cram into your overstuffed bag. Instead, use that extra space for malaria prevention medication and an effective DEET-based insect repellent.

ROAD TRIP

Bring: A multitasking car chargerThere's nothing worse than the strains of "On the Road Again" petering out halfway through your road trip because your iPod has lost its charge—except maybe getting lost in the middle of the desert because your smartphone, and its mapping app, also conked out. Give yourself (and Willie Nelson) a hand and pack a reliable car charger for your music player, phone, and other electronics. ThinkGeek's Power Bullet Charger (thinkgeek.com, $15) amps up the juice with dual USB ports, allowing you to charge two devices at once from a standard car cigarette lighter. And when you reach your hotel, it plugs into a standard wall socket to keep the electrons flowing.

Leave at home: Caffeine pillsWe know, we know—Amarillo is almost on the horizon and you just need one last boost of late-night energy to make it. Unfortunately, while there's little risk in moderate caffeine use, popping those pills—or slurping down energy drinks—can make you a hazard to yourself and other drivers. According to the National Institutes of Health, caffeine intoxication can result in tremors, tachycardia (increased heart rate), and "psychomotor agitation." Pill concentrations vary, but the 200 milligrams of caffeine in over-the-counter Vivarin is equal to two and a half cans of Red Bull—and too much of either can spell danger. Pull over and take a rest instead. Amarillo will still be there in the morning.

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